Premixer and juicer unit



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Sept- 7, 1954 J. MARCO v 2,688,470

PREMIXER ANU JUICER UNIT Original Filed Sept. 13, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 7 .1954 J. MARCO PREMIER AND JUICER UNIT original FiledA sept,- 13, `1946 f 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Il l .m wm .nl mm Pm A M mw. M V

Sept- 7, 1954 J. MARCO 2,688,470

PREMIXER AND JUICER UNIT 01figna1 Filed Sept. 13, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV EN TOR.

A fr0/PNE YS Patented Sept.` 7, `1954 PREMIXER AND JUICER UNIT John Marco, Wilmington, Del., assignor to Marco Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application September 13, 1946, Serial No. 696,653, now Patent No. 2,605,086, dated July 29, 1952.

Divided and this application January 9, 1952, Serial No. 265,887

3 Claims. (Cl. 259-8) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the processing of foods, chemicals, medicines and/or pharmaceutical preparations, the same being a division of my co-pending application Serial Number 696,653, filed September 13, 1946, new Patent No. 2,605,086 dated July 29, 1952.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a compact unit combination which may be used yconveniently in the home, in drug stores or laboratories, or in a commercial laboratory.-

It is an object of this invention to provide a premixer or homogenizer and juicer in a single connected unit which will conserve time and labor in the production of foods, chemicals or other materials, so that same will be so completely homogenized and mixed as to maintain their intimate colloidal condition until consumed, or during further processing, such as baking, cooking, etc. Another object resides in the provision of a machine for household utility wherein a cook or housewife may utilize same for producing superior baked products resulting from a superior texturization of materials treated by the machine.

Still another object of the invention resides in providing a device of the character mentioned` in which the parts are detachable for the purpose of inspection, cleansing, sterilizing and replacement.

A still further object resides in providing a device of the character mentioned which is simple and durable in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very efficient and useful in operation.

With these and numerous other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specication and claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application:

Figure l is a longitudinal Vertical sectional view of one end of the device embodying this invention showing the finishing homogenizer construction which receives the premixes from the opposite end of the apparatus.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1 showing on a larger scale the mechanical homogenizing elements of my apparatus.

Figure 3 is an axial sectional View of one of the mechanical elements shown in section in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the mechanical element shown in Figure 3,

taken substantially on the line 4-4 of said Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal axial sectional View of the inner mechanical element shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 61s a transverse vertical sectional view of the inner mechanical element taken substantially on the line l6 6 of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure '7 is a vertical axial sectional view of a modied construction of the homogenizer including a direct connection with a motor having a vertical axis.

Figure 8 is a View similar to Figure 7 but with the receiving bowl in an elevated position to provide for the exit of the premix from the bowl into the elements of the hcmogenizer.

Figure 9 is a vertical axial section of a modification of a fruit juicer having movable receiving bowl provided with exit openings in the bottom portion thereof.

It is most desirable to have in a kitchen of a home a utility unit which is capable of being utilized to accomplish the objectives heretofore set forth. It is desirable in the home-making of mayonnaise, salad dressings and all combinations of condiments, to produce reconstruction of dehydrated foods, as well as in the preparation of icings and the like. The apparatus herein set forth is adapted to so minutely divide substantially solid foods within a liquid medium as to provide a pre-digesting condition thereof for baby and invalid feeding. Since the invention affords a zone having the Icharacteristics of a vacuum in its feed inlet, many canned and pre-cooked products can be readily processed by this apparatus. It has been found that a better assimilation is afforded through the homogenization of many food products.

In describing the invention, I shall refer to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which the numeral l designates a body to which is connected a motor casing 2, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. This gure discloses primarily the homogenizer which comprises a casing 40 having readily detachable connection with an extension 4I on the motor casing 2. The casing 40 is provided with a flanged end 42 to which is bolted a detachable end closure 43, the latter having formed integral therewith a tubular elbow 414. One leg of the elbow is coaxial with the Iclosure and is provided with an annular socket 45 to receive an annular flange 46 of an inner homogenizing element 4l. The other leg of the elbow 44 extends upwardly and is provided with an annular recess 48 to receive telescopically therein a tubular outlet 49 from a hopper or bowl 59.

The homogenizer tubular element 41 may be substantially cylindrical in longitudinal crosssection and the circumferential wall thereof is slotted longitudinally to provide a treating zone and an exit for the premixed material coming from the hopper 59 through the elbow 44. Substantially one-half of the circumferential wall of the element 41 is cut-away to form slots. It follows, therefore, that the longitudinal bars defining the slots are collectively equal substantially in area to the total area of all of the slots. The element 41 is provided with a closed end 52, which is opposed to the annular flange 46 of said element and said element is supported and xed against rotation in the annular socket 45.

An outer homogenizer element I2 is provided which has a base 53 keyed to a motor shaft l0. Obviously the base 53, keyed to the shaft I0, is propelled to rotate the same number of revolutions per minute as said shaft and formed on the base 53 are the laterally extending blades 54, which are spaced from one another and extend radially with respect to the axis of the base. The inner ends of the blades 54 are also spaced from the center of the base 53, so that the inner homogenizer 41 may be fitted therebetween, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The bars 5| of the inner homogenizer 51 and the blades 54 of the outer homogenizer element 53 are in such close proximity as to produce a shearing action on the premixed material passing through the slots of the homogenizer 41. The sheared or further refined material is thrown outwardly from the inner homogenizer element to points between the blades 54 by centrifugal force and said material is carried by the blades to the outlet spout 55 which delivers the refined homogenized material to a receptacle 56.

The centrifugal force created by the whirling blades tends to create a low pressure area within the inner element 41 and thereby facilitates and accelerates the movement of the material being treated through the inner element 41. The outer peripheral portions of the blades 54 move in such close proximity to the casing 40 that the inner surface of said casing is maintained subp stantially free from the permanent setting of material thereon. In this connection, it is also to be noted that the centrifugal action of the blades 54 throws the material being treated against the cylindrical wall of the casing 40 and the whirling blades 54 continue to crush and disintegrate the material along said wall as it is propelled and advanced in its final refining treatment, to the exit 55. This action or treatment, together with the cooperation of the inner and outer homogenizer elements, shears and crushes the material into such a state of iineness as to have the quality substantially of a liquid having a colloidal dispersion therein.

Figures 7 and 8 represent homogenizers of a modified construction, in which the motor casing E0 is provided with a base 6l constituting a support for the motor, its casing, and the whole homogenizer constructions. The shaft 62 is in an upright position instead of a horizontal position as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The homogenizer is supported detachably on an upper extension of the motor casing 60. The shaft 62 is preferably keyed to the homogenizer element 63. The element 63 is substantially identical with 4 the homogenizer element I2 of Figure 1. The shaft 62 is journaled in the detachable head 65 of the casing B4. This casing is provided laterally thereof with a downwardly inclined spout '66, leading to a collection receptacle 61.

Surmounting the detachable head 65 is a double walled hopper 68, comprising an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell 69 is provided with an outwardly extending annular flange 10, constituting a lifting means or handle for said inner shell. The shells are relatively telescopically movable and the inner shell is provided with exit apertures or openings 1l. When the inner shell 69 is in its lowermost position, the apertures 1| are closed by the outer shell. A stirrer or agitator 12 is located axially within the hopper and its agitation portion is spaced from the bottom of the inner shell 69 to provide space therein whereby the inner shell 69 may be lifted when desired to feed a premix into the homogenizer elements 63 and 13. The stirrer 12 is provided with a depending socket stem 14 which extends through a bearing and seal 15 in the bottom of the inner shell 69. The socket stem 14 is preferably removably splined on the end of the shaft 62.

The inner homogenizer element 13 is substantially identical to the element 41 shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6, except that the shaft 62 extends axially through it, and, furthermore, element 13 is secured to the head 65 by different means whereby it is maintained in a stationary position on said head.

The head 55 is provided with a centrally located annular upright fiange 16 adapted to telescopically receive an annular depending tube 11 extending from the bottom of the outer shell. Briefly, it may be accurately stated that the head 65 and the hopper 58 are nested together to provide for ready detachment thereof for cleansing and sterilizing, etc.

The motor is provided with a control switch to provide a suitable speed for each particular material homogenized. The switch is provided with a control handle 18 having a pointer 19 cooperating with a dial 80.

The operation of the modified construction shown in Figures 7 and 8 is substantially identical to that of Figure 1, except that the construction of Figures '7 and 8 have a feed control constituting the double walled hopper 58, whereas the structure of Figure l has a single walled hopper or bowl 50. Furthermore, the structure of Figure 1 is not provided with an agitator within the feed bowl or hopper 59.

It will be readily understood, however, that the inner shell 69, of Figures 7 and 8 may be readily applied to the bowl 50 of Figure 8.

The disclosure of Figure 9 represents a modi.- ed construction of a fruit juicer. The juicer element 8| has an external contour substantially like that of half a lemon when the lemon is halved transversely through its center. The element 8| is provided with a depending stem B2 having a threaded socket 83 receiving a threaded end of a propeller shaft 84.

This modified construction is also provided with a double walled hopper 85, like that disclosed in Figures 1 and 8. The inner shell 85 is provided about its top with a flange 81, con stituting a lifting means for the inner shell, and also has exit apertures 88 in its bottom. The bottom portion of the inner shell is provided with a combination bearing and seal 89 to receive the shaft 99. It is to be noted that all of the principal parts are detachable and separable for cleansing, sterilizing, etc.

It will now be readily understood that vthere is provided a unit combination having both detachable units and detachable parts, thereby providing for selective substitution of parts or units of parts. For example, a double walled bowl or hopper may be substituted for a single walled bowl or hopper. One combined hopper and juicer may be substituted for another combined hopper. While the machine shown and described is particularly adapted for home use, it will be understood that the same is equally well adapted for use in the processing of medicines and pharmaceuticals in drug stores; in the processing of materials at soda fountains and also adapted for use in laboratories for processing chemicals and/or other materials.

From the foregoing description of the construction of the improved homogenizer, the method of assembling and applying same to use may be readily understood, and it will be seen that there is provided a comparatively simple, inexpensive and eilicient means for carrying out the various objects of the invention.

While there is described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is apparent that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to,` Without departing from the spirit of or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

Having fully disclosed my novel invention, what is claimed is:

1. A homogenizer comprising a casing having therein a stationary cup-shaped chamber provided with a bottom and an annular peripheral Wall formed with an outlet, a removable head closing the upper end of said casing and formed at its center with an inlet, a rotary shaft extending into said casing through the bottom and aligned with the center of said inlet, a stationary inner cup-shaped homogenizer element in said chamber concentric with said shaft and the inlet and having an open upper end constituting an inlet registering with the inlet of the chamber, said inner homogenizer element having an annular Wall extending its full depth and formed with a multiplicity of vertical slots evenly spaced from each other circumferentially of its wall, and an outer homogenizer unit in said chamber having a solid disk-shaped head at its bottom mounted upon the shaft under the inner unit and turning with said shaft, said head carrying a plurality of upwardly extending solid blades spaced from each other circumferentially thereof and disposed about the inner hcmogenizer element radially thereof and having inner side edges in close proximity to the annular wall of the inner homogenizer element and outer side edges in close proximity to the annular wall of the chamber.

2. A homogenizer comprising a vertical casing having an annular marginal Wall formed with an outlet, a removable wall at one end of said casing formed with an inlet at its center, a solid wall at the other end of the casing, a rotary shaft entering the casing through the center of the second end wall, an inner cup-shaped homogenizer element in said casing stationary about said shaft and having an annular wall carried by the removable Wall and formed with longitudinally extending slots spaced from each other circumferentially thereof and defining bars corresponding in width to the Width of the slots between them, and an outer homogenizer element having a bottom consisting of a thick circular disk disposed about and xed upon the portion of the shaft between the inner homogenizer element and the second end wall of the casings, blades carried by said disk and projecting from a side face of the disk along the annular wall of the inner homogenzer element, said blades being spaced from each other circumferentially of the disk and disposed radially of the inner homogenizer element and having side outer edges in close proximity to the annular walls of the casing and inner side edges in close proximity to the annular wall of the inner hcmogenizer element.

3. A homogenizer comprising a casing having a solid end wall and an annular wall, a removable closure for the other end of said casing formed with a central inlet, the annular wall being provided with an outlet, a rotary shaft entering said casing through the center of the first end wall and into the inlet in the removable Wall centrally thereof, a neck projecting from said removable wall about the inlet, an inner stationary homogcnizing element in said casing having a bottom tting loosely about said shaft and an upstanding annular wall formed with vertically extending slots spaced from each other, a rotatable outer homogenizer unit in said casing having a thick disk-like bottom fitting about and secured to the shaft and blades extending upwardly from the disk-like bottom, said blades being disposed radially of the inner homogenizer element the full depth thereof and having inner and outer side edges in close proximity to the annular wall of the inner homogenizer unit and the annular wall of the casing, a hopper having a depending discharge neck aligned with and removably engaged with the inlet neck of the casing, and an agitator in said hopper having a stem extending downwardly through said discharge'neck and removably engaged with the upper end of said shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Reeve Apr. 6, 1937 

